Functional and ornamental vehicle accessories

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for a functional and ornamental vehicle accessory are provided. The vehicle accessory includes a housing and a mounting mechanism for coupling the accessory to a vehicle. The vehicle accessory can also include a light source or light conducting member. Wiring for electrically connecting the light source can be included such that the vehicle accessory can illuminate during a variety of vehicle functions. The vehicle accessory can also operate as a communication hub for the vehicle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to vehicles. In particular, thepresent invention relates to vehicle accessories and methods for making,and coupling accessories to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Auxiliary warning lights have been incorporated on sides of motorvehicles to provide a means of communicating the intentions of anoperator thereof to adjacent vehicles, such as, the intention to changetraffic lanes or make a turn. Such lights are advantageous in providingnotice to an adjacent vehicle that may be located in a blind spot andpositioned such that the signaling vehicle's tail lights are not visibleto the adjacent vehicle's operator. While incorporation of suchauxiliary warning lights is relatively straightforward on work-typevehicles it becomes a more complex problem when passenger-type vehiclesare involved due in part to the importance of aesthetic appearance.Other considerations which can apply to any type of vehicle include theneed to position the lights so as to minimize any impact on the visionof the vehicle operator.

In addition to providing transportation, motor vehicles have become avisible symbol of what type of person someone is. For instance, somewealthy people perceive expensive automobiles as a status symbol, whilea rugged individualist will often drive a sport-utility type vehicle.Other people like to express themselves by painting their vehicles boldcolors, or by decorating their vehicles with a variety of custom,personalized items. As a result of the high number of people whocustomize their vehicles, a large market has been created which catersexclusively to after-market vehicle products.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

A system and method are provided for an ornamental and functionalvehicle accessory. The accessory includes a housing which is configuredto be removably coupled to a vehicle via a mounting end. The housing canbe substantially ring-shaped, or the housing can be of any othersuitable shape, such as square, crescent, spiral, and straight. Thevehicle accessory also includes a mounting assembly for removablycoupling the accessory to a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes amounting pin and a collar. Alternatively, the vehicle accessory can bepermanently mounted. An end ornament can also be included on theaccessory.

The housing of the vehicle accessory can include a light conductingmember extending substantially through the housing. The light conductingmember is operative to illuminate at least a portion of the housing. Thelight conducting member can include a light source, which can be avariety of colors. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED),a fiber optic bundle, or the housing itself can be optical waveguide.The vehicle accessory can illuminate via manual controls, such as anon/off switch located on the accessory and/or in the vehicle.Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle accessory can includeelectrical wiring which extends from the light conducting member to thevehicle, such that the light conducting member illuminates with acorresponding vehicle light and/or function. For example, the vehicleaccessory can illuminate with a turn signal light, a brake light, ahazard light, a parking light, and/or a security system.

The present invention also relates to a system and method of wirelesscommunication via a vehicle accessory. The vehicle accessory includes acommunications interface and is adapted for wireless communication withanother vehicle and/or vehicle accessory and/or a portable electronicdevice. The vehicle accessory is adapted for wireless communicationutilizing at least one of a variety of signaling systems, such assatellite, digital, cellular, internet, radio, etc. For example, thewireless communication can be accomplished utilizing one of a pluralityof public domain wireless communication standards or a frequencyadjusting wireless communication protocol (e.g., to achieve improvednoise immunity, such as frequency hopping spread spectrum and/or directsequence spread spectrum) to facilitate communication to and/or from thevehicle accessory. A user (e.g., vehicle operator, portable electronicdevice user) utilizing a wireless communication device can be withinclose proximity (e.g., 10 meters) of a vehicle accessory and can sendinformation (e.g., a “hi” message) for display on the communicationsinterface of the vehicle accessory.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventionthen, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects ofthe invention. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few ofthe various ways in which the principles of the invention may beemployed and the present invention is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents. Other objects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle accessory in accordance withan aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pin and collar mountingassembly in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a collar in accordance with an aspectof the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example of an end ornament inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another example of an end ornament inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an end ornament having acommunications interface in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block schematic diagram of a wirelesscommunications device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a vehicle accessory in accordance withan aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a vehicle accessory mounted to a side view mirror ofa vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates vehicle accessories mounted to a front and backportion of a vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of various vehicle accessory shapes inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a methodology for fabricating a vehicle accessory inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a methodology for coupling a vehicle accessory to avehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a methodology for employing the vehicle accessory asa communication hub in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for functional andornamental vehicle accessories. The present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block form in order to facilitatedescribing the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle accessory 100 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention. The vehicle accessory 100includes a housing 110 which is configured to be removably coupled to avehicle (not shown) via a mounting end 120. The housing 110 can besubstantially ring-shaped, as depicted in FIG. 1. However, it is to beappreciated that the housing 110 can be of any suitable shape, such assquare, crescent, spiral, and straight. The housing 110 can also be ofany suitable color, such as red, yellow, blue, purple, green, orange,black, white, pink, clear, multi-colored, etc. Thus, the vehicleaccessory 100 can be coupled to a vehicle to provide a form ofexpression for an operator of the vehicle, since the vehicle accessory100 can be formed and/or decorated with a wide variety of shapes,styles, colors, and/or patterns. The vehicle accessory 100 can alsofacilitate locating the vehicle amongst a plurality of vehicles.

The housing 110 can optionally include a light conducting member 130,such as a light pipe and a light source, extending substantially throughthe housing 110. The light conducting member 130 is operative toilluminate at least a portion of the housing 110. Thus, the housing 110is manufactured from a substantially translucent material, such that thelight is visible through the housing 110. The housing 110 can beinjection molded from a suitable plastic, such as nylon, acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) or suitable resinous plastic, or the like.Alternately, other resinous, melt processable plastics or moldablematerials such as mineral-filled or glass filled nylon or polyester andpolypropylene could be used to form the housing 110. As anotheralternative, the housing 110 can comprise a fiber reinforced nylonplastic, thermoplastic, or polypropylene or other similar thermoplasticor thermoset materials. Furthermore, the housing 110 can comprise aplurality of designs formed within the housing in order to generatelight patterns. For example, stars, stripes, flowers, circles, andvarious other shapes can be formed in the housing. Natural patterns ofthe housing material can also generate the light patterns. For example,porous metals can be employed such that the light can illuminate throughthe pores to create shadows or designs. If a metal housing is employed,the housing can be coated with phosphorous, such that the metal itselfcan light up. The metal can be copper or any other suitable metal. Asyet another alternative, electroluminescent wire can be employed as thehousing.

The color of light visible through the housing 110 can be of any color,such as red, yellow, blue, purple, green, orange, black, white, pink,etc. Alternatively, the color of light visible through the housing 110can be of a plurality of colors. The light can be generated by a boot orcover, a filter, a reflector which surrounds the light source, the lightsource or the light pipe or a combination of one or more of theaforementioned devices. For example, the light source may produce anamber light from a coating on the light source bulb or from a gasenclosed in the bulb or from the light producing element of the lightsource. The light can produce a constant light intensity and/or variablelight pattern intensity. For example, the vehicle accessory 100 can havea plurality of regions of light patterns. In a first region, the lightintensity may have one intensity value, while in a second region; thelight intensity may have another light intensity value. Furthermore,each region can have a variable intensity pattern. For example, theportion of the region or nearest to a light source may have a higherlight intensity than portions of the region or angled further away fromthe light source.

The light source can comprise a laser diode, a solid state emitter suchas a light emitting diode, an incandescent light source, a fluorescentlight source, such as a cold cathode fluorescent light, a phosphorouslamp, a neon light, a discharge lamp, an arc lamp, and anelectroluminescent light, including inorganic or organicelectro-luminescent sources. Optionally, two or more of such lightsources may be incorporated into the vehicle accessory 100 for directinglight into respective light input surfaces and light pipes in thehousing 110. Furthermore, a plurality of light emitting sources may begrouped to provide a more intense illumination. As described above, avariety of emitting sources may be used as light emitting sources and,including a variety of colors of light emitting diode (LED) sources,such as solid state light emitting diode sources. As anotheralternative, a fiber optic bundle forming a light pipe may be positionedto discharge light behind the housing. As yet another alternative, thehousing 110 itself can be optical waveguide. As yet another alternative,the light source can be a glow-in-the-dark material.

The light source in vehicle accessory 100 can be independently powered,such that a switch and/or remote control can turn the light source onand off. Thus, the vehicle accessory 100 can illuminate regardless ofwhether the car is on or off. Additionally, or alternatively, thevehicle accessory 100 can include electrical wiring which extends fromthe light conducting member 130 to a light or function in the vehicle,such that the light conducting member 130 illuminates with thecorresponding vehicle light or function. Thus, the vehicle accessory 100can illuminate with a turn signal light, a brake light, a hazard light,and/or a parking light. The vehicle accessory 100 can also illuminatewhen a security system is activated or deactivated.

Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle accessory 100 can include aspeaker 140 for sending audible signals to a user or operator of thevehicle; for example, when the security system is activated ordeactivated.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an example of a mounting assembly 200 forremovably coupling a vehicle accessory (not shown) to a vehicle (notshown) is depicted. The assembly 200 includes a mounting pin 205 and acollar 210. The mounting pin 205 comprises a spherical portion 215having an outer diameter which corresponds with an inner diameter 220 ofthe collar 210. The spherical portion 215 of the mounting pin 205facilitates positioning the mounting pin 205 at any desired angle orposition within the inner diameter 220 of the collar 210. Thus, thevehicle accessory can be mounted to a variety of different locations onthe vehicle at a variety of different positions. The mounting pin 205can be coupled to a vehicle via a base portion 225 of the pin. The baseportion 225 of mounting pin 205 includes at least one bore 230 such thata nut and bolt assembly can be employed for coupling the mounting pin205 to the vehicle. It is to be appreciated that any other suitablemethod for coupling the mounting pin 205 to the vehicle can also beemployed.

The collar 210 is configured to couple the vehicle accessory to themounting pin 205. A first portion 235 of the collar 210 includes atleast one threaded bore 240 for coupling to the mounting pin 205; whilea second portion 245 of the collar 210 includes at least one threadedbore 250 for coupling to the vehicle accessory. The collar 210 fits overthe mounting pin 205 and a mounting end (e.g., 120) of the vehicleaccessory via a slot 255 (FIG. 3) in the collar 210. Thus, the collar210 is coaxially aligned with mounting pin 205 and the mounting end 120.At least two set screws (not shown) are employed in the mountingassembly; one for engaging with mounting pin 205 and the other forengaging with the vehicle accessory. However, the position of the collar210 and mounting pin 205 can be held by ordinary screws or any othersuitable means, such as shackles or pins, which can be used to performthe same function as the set screws. Alternatively, if desired, thecoupling between the mounting pin and the collar can be permanent (e.g.,utilizing glue or any other suitable adhesive).

The mounting assembly 200 also comprises a bore 260 through a middleportion of the assembly such that electrical wiring (not shown) canextend from a light source located in the accessory to the vehicle.Accordingly, the vehicle accessory can illuminate when lights of thevehicle are turned on (e.g., when brakes are applied to the vehicle,when hazards are turned on, and/or when a turn is signaled) or duringdifferent functionalities of the vehicle (e.g., activation of a securitysystem).

Turning now to FIG. 4, an end ornament 400 for coupling to a vehicleaccessory (not shown) is illustrated. The end ornament 400 comprises aball having a recess 410 which corresponds with an outer diameter of thevehicle accessory. Thus, the ball 400 can fit over an end portion of theaccessory. Alternatively, the ball 400 can have a recess extendingthrough a diameter of the ball 400 such that the ball 400 can bepositioned at a middle portion of the accessory, or at any other desiredposition on the accessory. The ball 400 also includes at least onethreaded bore 420 such that a set screw and/or any other suitablefastener can be employed to securely mount the ball 400 to theaccessory.

As an alternative, turning to FIG. 5, an end ornament 500 can comprise aball which includes a threaded bore 510 for receiving a threaded endportion of a vehicle accessory. Although, the end ornaments 400 and 500have been described and depicted herein as sphere-shaped ornaments, itis to be appreciated that the end ornament can be of any shape desired,such as square-shaped and star-shaped, for example. Further, the endornament can have a function associated therewith. For example, the endornament can be a compass for indicating a direction of a vehicle and/ora thermometer for indicating an outside temperature. Alternatively, theend ornament can include a light source. The light source can operateindependent of the vehicle and/or can be electrically wired into thevehicle, such that the end ornament is operative to illuminate whenvarious functions of the vehicle are activated (e.g., turn signals,brake lights, hazards, parking lights, security system). It is to beappreciated that the end ornaments described herein are not necessarilyseparate components of the vehicle accessories. For example, an endornament can be formed as part of the housing or can be permanentlyattached to the accessory.

Moreover, as depicted in FIG. 6, an end ornament 600 can operate as acommunication hub for a vehicle. For example, a vehicle accessory havingend ornament 600 can wirelessly communicate with another vehicleaccessory and/or a vehicle and/or a portable electronic device, such asa cell phone or a personal digital assistant. The end ornament 600includes a communications interface 610, such as a lead screen. The endornament 600 and the communications interface 610 are adapted forwireless communication utilizing at least one of a variety of signalingsystems, such as satellite, digital, cellular, internet, radio, etc. Itis to be appreciated that any portion of the vehicle accessory can beemployed as the communication hub. For example, a user utilizing awireless communications device (e.g., a personal digital assistant, suchas a Palm Pilot, adapted for wireless communication, and a mobilemessaging device, such as a BLACKBERRY™ device) can come in closeproximity (e.g., within 10 meters) of the vehicle accessory and transmitand receive information to and from the vehicle accessory. Utilizing thewireless communications device, the user send a message, greeting,expression, identification, information, communication, inscription,design, artwork, digital image, or the like to the accessory that can bedisplayed on the communications interface 610. The user can also sendsignals which can cause the accessory to blink or illuminate. It is tobe appreciated that the vehicle accessory itself can operate as thecommunication hub for the vehicle.

Wireless communication can occur via a frequency adjusting wirelesscommunication protocol, which is a protocol for wireless communicationbetween at least two entities employing frequency adjustment, forexample, to achieve improved noise immunity. The protocol can includecommunication via a portion of the radio frequency and a format fortransmissions between the entities. An example of a wirelesscommunication protocol is the Bluetooth open global standard forshort-range wireless communication. Bluetooth is a Radio Frequency (RF)specification for short-range, point to multi-point voice and datatransfers. Bluetooth can transmit through solid, non-metal objects. Ithas a nominal link range from 10 centimeters to 10 meters, but can beextended to 100 meters by increasing the transmit power. It is based onshort-range radio links and facilitates ad hoc connections forstationary and mobile communication environments. The Bluetooth standardis a low cost, short-range wireless communication standard thattypically operates in the 2,400–2,483.5 MHz industrial, scientific andmedical (ISM) band. The ISM band is available worldwide and allowsunlicensed operation of spread spectrum systems. The Bluetooth standardis often employed for short distance connections and can also provide abridge to existing data networks. Another example of a frequency hoppingspread spectrum wireless communications protocol is ConnexRF byAeroComm. It is to be appreciated that alternative frequency adjustingwireless communication protocols (e.g., to achieve improved noiseimmunity) are also encompassed within the present invention (e.g.,direct sequence spread spectrum). Moreover, as discussed above, wirelesscommunications can also occur via satellite, digital, cellular,internet, radio, etc.

FIG. 7 provides a schematic representation of a wireless communicationsdevice 700 according to one particular aspect of the present invention.A central control system 710 is responsible for controlling generaloperations of the wireless communications device 700. The centralcontrol system 710 can include a processor or the like that isprogrammed to control and operate various components within the wirelesscommunications device 700 in order to carry out various functionsdescribed herein. The manner in which the processor can be programmed tocarry out the functions relating to the present invention will bereadily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art based on thedescription provided herein.

The wireless communications device 700 includes a transceiver 715 havingtransmitting circuitry 720 and receiving circuitry 725 that are bothcoupled to an antenna 730. The receiver 725 receives transmissionsthrough the antenna 730, which is transmitted through a mixer 735,filtered by an intermediate frequency (IF) filter 740 and demodulated bya demodulator 745. The transmission is then digitized through an A/Dconverter 750 for processing by the central control system 710.Transmissions are transmitted from the central control system 710through a D/A converter 755 to a modulator 760 and a filter 765 to thetransmitter 720 out through the antenna 730. A frequency synthesizercomponent 770 contains a memory component 775. The frequency synthesizercomponent 770 cooperates with the central control system 710 and adevice clock 780 to provide frequency hopping for the wirelesscommunications device 700. The memory component 775 may include aplurality of register banks for storing synthesizer codes that areemployed to facilitate frequency hopping. Alternatively, the registerbanks may reside in the central control system 710 (e.g., in a memorycomponent, onboard registers or memory in a processor or in separateregister components). The frequency synthesizer component 770 is alsooperatively coupled to the modulator 760, the demodulator 745 and themixer 735 to provide a frequency oscillation component for transmittingand receiving communications. A measurement power component 785 isoperatively coupled to the receiver 725 and provides transmission powermeasurement information to the central control system 710. Power isprovided to the central control system 710 and other components formingthe wireless communications device 700 by a power component 790, such asa battery power module, line power or the like, for example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a vehicle accessory 800 in accordance with an aspectof the present invention comprising a housing 810 and an end ornament820. The vehicle accessory 800 includes a mounting assembly 830 forremovably coupling the accessory 800 to a vehicle (not shown). Forexample, the accessory 800 can be coupled to a side view mirror of anautomobile. It is to be appreciated that the vehicle accessory 800 canalso be permanently coupled to the vehicle via an adhesive or othermechanism. The accessory 800 can be wired into a turn signal mechanismin the automobile, such that a light source (not shown) in the accessory800 can also signal a turn. If an electroluminescent wire is employed asthe light source for the accessory 800, a transformer 840 is included toconvert DC current to AC current. The transformer is made of steellaminations wrapped with a predetermined number of coils of wire. Thenumber of coils is selected based on a desired voltage change ratio.Alternatively, the light source can include a wireless chip such thatwhen lights are activated in the vehicle, a signal is sent to the lightsource to illuminate the vehicle accessory.

FIG. 9 depicts an automobile 900 having a vehicle accessory 910 mountedon a side view mirror 920 of the automobile 900. The vehicle accessory910 can be mounted to the mirror 920 such that it is visible to personson the road who are approaching the vehicle 900 from the forward orrearward direction or persons located adjacent the vehicle 900. Thevehicle accessory 910 includes at least one signal light (not shown)which comprises a light source and a light conducting member. In thisexample, the vehicle is an automobile; however, the accessory 910 can beremovably coupled to any other suitable vehicle.

The vehicle accessory 910 can be electrically wired into turn signals ofthe automobile 900 such that the accessory 910 is operable to signal aturn. Accordingly, the turn signals are more noticeable thanconventional tail lights as the accessory 910 is near eye-level ofadjacent drivers. Further, employing the vehicle accessory 910 as turnsignals will allow drivers in a blind spot of the automobile 900 to seethe turn signal. Thus, unlike other accessories which generally softenan accident, accessory 910 can help prevent an accident. Accordingly,the vehicle accessory 910 can provide advanced notification toapproaching vehicles that the driver of automobile 900 intends to turnor make a lane change.

It is to be appreciated that a vehicle accessory can be located on anypart of a vehicle and is contemplated as falling within the scope of theinvention. For example, turning to FIG. 10, an automobile 1000 isdepicted with vehicle accessories 1010 and 1020 located at differentareas on the automobile 1000, such as a front portion and a rear portionof the automobile 1000. Vehicle accessories can additionally, oralternatively, be coupled to at least one interior portion of a vehicle.The accessories 1010 and 1020 can be functional and illuminate withvarious functions of the automobile 1000, such as signaling a turn,applying brakes, signaling an emergency situation, turning on parkingand/or driving lights, etc.

Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the vehicle accessoryconfigurations, placement positions on vehicles, illuminating examples,etc. have been presented herein for sake of illustration and descriptiononly. As such, these systems and methods are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the systems and methodsdisclosed. For example, FIG. 11 illustrates some alternate housingshapes that can be employed.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features describedabove, methodologies in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention will be better appreciated with reference to FIGS. 12–14.While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies ofFIGS. 12–14 are illustrated and described as executing serially, it isto be understood and appreciated that the present invention is notlimited by the illustrated order, as some aspects could, in accordancewith the present invention, occur in different orders and/orconcurrently with other aspects from that depicted and described herein.Moreover, not all illustrated features may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with an aspect the present invention.

In FIG. 12, a methodology for fabricating a vehicle accessory isillustrated. The methodology begins at 1210 where a housing having amounting portion is provided. The mounting portion is operable to couplethe housing to a vehicle. At 1220, a light source is provided in ahousing of the vehicle accessory. The light source can be wired into avehicle such that it is operative to illuminate substantiallysimultaneously with vehicle lights. An end ornament is provided on thehousing at 1230. The end ornament can be of any shape and size. The endornament can illuminate with the accessory; or alternatively can includea separate light source. Then, at 1240, a mounting assembly is providedfor coupling the vehicle accessory to the vehicle. The mounting assemblycan comprise a pin and collar assembly or any other suitable mountingmechanism.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a methodology is illustrated for employing avehicle accessory. The methodology begins at 1310 where a mounting pinis removably coupled to a vehicle. A nut and bolt assembly or any othersuitable mounting mechanism can be employed to couple the mounting pinto the vehicle. At 1320, a light source in the vehicle accessory iselectrically wired into at least one light of the vehicle. Accordingly,the accessory is able to illuminate when a corresponding light of thevehicle illuminates. At 1330, the vehicle accessory is coupled to themounting pin such that the vehicle accessory is suitably mounted to thevehicle. A collar can be employed to couple the vehicle accessory to themounting pin. An end ornament is provided on the vehicle accessory at1340.

Turning now to FIG. 14, a methodology for providing wirelesscommunication via a vehicle accessory in accordance with the presentinvention is provided. Beginning at 1410, an RF field is generatedaround at least one vehicle accessory. At 1420, an RF field is generatedaround a wireless communications device (e.g., cellular telephone,personal digital assistant, such as a Palm Pilot, adapted for wirelesscommunication, and a mobile messaging device, such as a BLACKBERRY™device). At 1430, communications are established between the wirelesscommunications device and at least one vehicle accessory. At 1440, amessage, greeting, expression, identification, information,communication, inscription, design, artwork, digital image, or the likeis wirelessly transmitted between the wireless communications device andthe at least one vehicle accessory.

It is to be appreciated that the vehicle accessories of the subjectinvention as described herein can be employed with automobiles, trucks,motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, or any other suitable vehicle. What hasbeen described above includes exemplary implementations of the presentinvention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentinvention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intendedto embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A vehicle accessory comprising; a housing configured to be removablycoupled to a vehicle; a light conducting member extending through thehousing for illuminating at least a portion of the housing; electricalwiring which extends from the light conducting member to a light in thevehicle, such that the light conducting member illuminates with thecorresponding vehicle light; and an end ornament comprising acommunications interface for at least one of receiving and transmittinginformation, the communications interface comprising at least a displaythat shows at least a text message.
 2. The vehicle accessory of claim 1,the light conducting member comprises a light pipe and a light source.3. The vehicle accessory of claim 2, the light source is a lightemitting diode (LED).
 4. The vehicle accessory of claim 2, the lightsource is an electroluminescent wire.
 5. The vehicle accessory of claim4, further comprising a transformer for converting DC current to ACcurrent.
 6. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the light conductingmember comprises a fiber optic bundle.
 7. The vehicle accessory of claim1, further comprising a pin and collar mounting assembly.
 8. The vehicleaccessory of claim 1, the housing is illuminated at least one of red,yellow, blue, purple, green, orange, black, white, pink, amber.
 9. Thevehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is illuminated by at least oneof a constant light intensity and a variable light pattern intensity.10. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is at least one ofring-shaped, crescent-shaped, straight-shaped, and spiral-shaped. 11.The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the end ornament comprises a ballhaving a recess that corresponds with an outer diameter of the vehicleaccessory.
 12. The vehicle accessory of claim 1 being mounted on a sideview mirror of an automobile and electrically wired into a turn signallight of the automobile.
 13. The vehicle accessory of claim 1 beingmounted on a front portion of an automobile and electrically wired intoat least one of a turn signal light, a brake light, a hazard light, aparking light, and a security system.
 14. The vehicle accessory of claim1 being mounted on a rear portion of an automobile and electricallywired into at least one of a turn signal light, a brake light, a hazardlight, a parking light, and a security system.
 15. The vehicle accessoryof claim 1, further comprising a speaker for transmitting audiblesignals to an operator of the vehicle.